Key research themes
1. How can modern presidents reorder political institutions despite constrained institutional veto powers?
This research area examines the evolving strategies that presidents can deploy to effect institutional change in political systems that exhibit strong veto possibilities from defenders of the status quo. It challenges the idea that reconstructive presidential leadership—characterized by order-shattering and order-creating change—is no longer feasible, and instead identifies nuanced modalities of institutional change such as displacement, layering, conversion, and drift, which presidents can use individually or in combination to recalibrate political equilibrium.
2. How do presidential leadership styles influence democratic governance and the institutional balance of power?
This thematic area investigates the relationship between presidential leadership styles—ranging from reconstructive to authoritarian-populist—and their effects on democratic institutions, power centralization, and political stability. Research contrasts historical and contemporary cases demonstrating how presidents can either reinforce democratic norms and institutional resilience or undermine them through personality-driven leadership, manipulation, and erosion of checks and balances.
3. How do historical and institutional contexts shape the role and authority of presidents across republics?
This research theme focuses on the institutional evolution and constitutional frameworks that delineate presidential powers and limitations across different republics and historical periods. It analyzes how factors such as constitutional design, political culture, party dynamics, and historic legacies influence the selection, functions, and effectiveness of presidents, shaping patterns of governance and political stability.